1.5 Cross-sectoral approach with other ministries
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Mechanisms and actors
The National Youth Strategy 2024–2027 was developed using a cross-sectoral approach and establishes mechanisms for inter-institutional cooperation, including the creation of a monitoring committee. However, the strategy recognises the previously limited cooperation between institutions as a key risk and limitation. To address this, it includes specific measures aimed at strengthening inter-institutional collaboration.
A common policy was implemented until 2020 by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity in cooperation with the Ministry of European Investments and Projects, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, providing the framework for funding the policy of youth employment, including the Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative. Since 2021, the action plan for the reinforced Youth Guaranty is included in the National Strategy on Employment 2021-2027 (Strategia Nationala pentru Ocuparea Fortei de Munca 2021-2027) The cross-sectorial cooperation continues under the new employment strategy, but a more significant role is provided in the new period for another important stakeholder: the local authorities.
There is a permanent inter-ministerial council for education, culture, research, youth and minorities mentioned in the Youth Law and working based on the Government Decision no. 750/2005. However, this council is not focused on youth policies, but rather on education and research. As a result of this lack of focus, there is not a clear distribution of responsibilities between departments, ministries or agencies in regard to youth policy making. Each ministry is focused on its own regulations and responsibilities and coordination in the field of youth is rather week. For instance, policies on youth volunteering can be developed by the Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities and/or by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, without a clear distribution of responsibilities between them.
In 2017, cross-sectorial cooperation between all Ministers involved in the drafting of the new Youth Law generated the Coordination Committee of Public Polices in the Field of Youth. The council included: the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finances, the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Labour and Social Justice, the Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration and European Funds, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Truism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Public Consultation and Social Dialogue. This Coordination Committee of Public Polices in the Field of Youth continued its work in 2018, but not in afterwards. It ended its activity when the Youth Law draft proposal was adopted by the Government and sent to the Parliament for approval.